The Beggar At Your Gates: Who?
As He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' And Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him here.'
Mark 10:46-49 (NASB)
Do you have any beggars at your gates?
A homeless man you pass?
An awkward kid at school?
A grumpy guy at work?
The single mom next door?
A home-bound church member?
A stranded motorist?
A stranger in danger?
A friend hit by gossip?
Pause and consider: Exactly who might be on the outside looking in… to your full and busy life. An angel in disguise? Jesus Himself?
' 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me' ' (Matthew 25:44-45).
I’ve been guilty too many times to count. So easily, I get hyper-focused and preoccupied with my ‘To-Do’ list.
If not for Jesus, my fate would be dire. If not for His Word, I’d still be clueless! But now that I believe and KNOW better, I’m called to act like Him and SHOW better:
‘You believe there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?' (James 2:19-20). 'Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin' (James 4:17).
Here’s the question we all must ask ourselves: Do we ignore the beggars at our gates?
The Beggar At Your Gates: Who? (Part 1)
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.